Moistening control device for duplicating machines



H. JAGGER 2,539,839

MOISTENING CONTRQL DEVICE FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES Jan. 3 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed. July 18, 1945 lllin'lllll-IIJ Ill 1 fi mu n lllll 1 I H. JAGGER 2,539,839

MOISTENING CONTROL DEVICE FOR DUPLICATING- MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 18, 1945 u wys INVENTOR. J1 Fiber"? 021 8;?

Jan. 30, 1951 H. JAGGER 2539,89

MOISTENING CONTROL DEVICE FOR DUPL ICATING MACHINES Filed July 18, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet I5 H I NVENTOR. S) Hubert Jagger'- L' BYM A Jan. 30, 1951 H. JAGGER 2,539,839

MOISTENING CONTROL DEVICE FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed July 18, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 H INVENTOR.

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Jan. 30, 1951 H. JAGGER 2,539,339

MOISTENING CONTROL DEVICE FOR DUPL ICA-TING MACHINES Filed July 18, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 L I 4 INVENTgIf.

Jan. 30, 1951 H. JAGGER 2,539,839

MOISTENING CONTROL DEVICE FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed July 18, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. Huberf K752536 71 Patented Jan. 30, 1951 MOISTENING CONTROL DEVICE FOR.

DUPLICATING MACHINES Hubert Jagger, Maywood, Ill.

Application July 18, 1945, Serial No. 605,659.

6 Claims.

This invention relates to duplicating machines.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved duplicating machine of the liquid type, although certain features of the improvement may be employed in other forms of duplicators, such as the gelatin-band type for example.

Another object of the-invention is to provide improved copy-sheet moistening means whereby liquid can be applied only to the surface of the copy sheets whether they be of the same length as, or of less length than, the master sheet, thereby avoiding the disadvantages resulting from the repeated addition of transfer liquid needlessly to parts or portions of the master sheet which might be transferred to the pressure or platen roller and to the drum or other moving parts of the machine, and also economizing in the use of the liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a duplicating machine comprising a rotary drum and a cooperating pressure roller that is mounted toinsure uniform contact throughout its length with the drum, thereby avoiding non-uniform impressions on the copies such as result from variations in pressure between the members mentioned.

Another. object of the invention is to provide conveniently operable means for varying the pressure exerted by the pressure roller against the drum.

A further object of the invention is to provide Q an improved master clamp for attaching to the drum a master sheet (of which copies of matter thereon are to be reproduced) together with means whereby the changing of masters may be easily and expeditiously accomplished and whereby block-out sheets also may be attached to or released from the drum without releasing the master sheet.

Other objects of the invention relate to various features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a duplicating machine which is illustrative of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged broken sectional view taken on line 5--5 of Figure 4, illustrating the master clamp held in a retracted position for receiving a block-out sheet.

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the clamp in retracted position for receiving a master sheet.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line l-l of Figure l.

Figure 8 is a broken sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 9-4] of Figure 4.

Figure 10 is an enlarged broken sectional view taken on line Ill-l0 of Figure 4.

Figure 11 is an enlarged broken sectional view taken on line ll-ll of Figure '7.

The machine shown in the drawings is provided with two side frame members 10 and II between which is disposed a rotary drum [2. As shown in Figure 4, the drum is secured to a shaft I3 journalled at its ends in the side frame members It! and H and having at one end, in the embodiment illustrated, an operating handle it. The machine shown for illustrative purposes thus is the hand operable type but it will be understood that the same may be power driven if desired.

The periphery of the drum is shown as consisting of a cylindrical portion [5 and an inwardly offset or reentrant portion Hi, the purpose of the latter of which will be hereinafter pointed out. The cylindrical portion l5 of the drum is provided with a longitudinal recess in which a clamp member or bar I! is adjustably seated. The outer-surface of the clamp bar is of a curvature conforming to the cylindrical surface portion of the drum. The clamp is retained normally on its seat in the position shown in Fig. 9 for example, by means of spring 58 (see Fig. 3) each secured to an inwardly directed stud l9 secured to the clamp bar I? and each attached at the opposite end to a rod 20 carried by the end walls 2| and 22 of the drum. The clamp thus normally is retained in the position shown in Fig. 9 but may be withdrawn outwardly from its seat by reason of the mounting described. .The clamp bar I1 is designed to clamp an end of a master sheet to the drum, the master sheet a used in 'this'specification designating a sheet carrying copy that is written, typed or printed in reproducible or hectograph ink.

' In the drawings, numeral 23 designates a master sheet attached to the drum by having its upper end 2311 disposed under one of the longitudinal edges of the clamp bar I! as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 9. The recess in the drum within which the clamp bar I! normally is seated is shaped to enable the clamp bar to be tilted outwardly, against the tension of the Springs I8, at either longitudinal edge of the bar, the other longitudinal edge remaining seated in the recess and thus retaining in position a second sheet, should such be in clamped relation when the first mentioned edge is retracted as stated. Thus the clamp bar may be utilized for retaining on the drum two sheets, one sheet such as a master sheet 23 and a second sheet such as a block-out sheet not shown in Fig. 1.

In the event a block-out sheet is used, it may be clamped at one edge thereof beneath the forward or advancing longitudinal edge of the clamp as viewed in Fig. 9, the trailing edge of the clamp. in said figure being hown in clamping relation with the master 23. A block-out sheet is any sheet of paper or the like which overlies a portion or all of the master sheet and has cut outs therein which permit reproduction only of a portion or portions of the master,.the sheet blocking; out. the portions: of the master which are not to be duplicated upon copy sheets which are passed: through the. machine.

As shown in Figure 3, the ends of the clamp bar- H proiect slightly beyond the ends of the cylindrical portion of the drum, such projecting ends being designated as Ha. Means are provided for the convenient withdrawal of one edge or the other of the clamp-bars from the position shown in Fig. 9 for inserting a master sheet or a block-out. sheet in clamping position. A suitable clamp releasing means is shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 9. The means illustrated comprises a transverse member 2 secured at its ends to the respective frame members It and II by screws 25 (see Fig. 5). A spring guide 26' is secured to member 24, as shown in Fig. 9, which guides a slidable structure comprising a sheet guide 21 which is secured to a bored block member 28 through which extends a bolt 29. The bolt 29 carries a spring 3! under compression and hence presses the slidable structure normally to the right as viewed in Fig. 9. By grasping the forward or right. hand edge of member 28, the

slidable structure can be retracted manually against the action of "the spring to the position shown in Figs. 5'and 6 for example. The slidable structure carries a transverse member 3"! of 'a length somewhat greater than the axial length ofthe drum and at its ends is provided with arms 32 each having an end portion 33 turned inwardly toward the drum; Each portion 32 is shown provided with a stud or like member- 34 which when the slidable structure is retracted, is designed to engage the rear of the bar adjacent one longitudinal edge or the other of the clamp bar H. When the drum has been adjusted to a proper position wherein one edge of the-bar or the other engages the-stop-studs 34, manual movement of member 23 against the spring will by engagement of the inturned ends 33 of arms 32, retract the selected edge of the bar from its seat sufficiently to. enable the insertion beneath such edge of. a, master. sheet 23, as shown in Fig. 6, or a block-out sheet 35 as shown. in. Fig.5 in theevent the other edge of the bar is unseated. Hence. it will be seen that by adjusting the drumto aposition wherein one; edge portion. or the other is aligned with the studs 34 such edge of the clamp may be withdrawn to sheet receiving or; releasing relation by the manual, retraction of the member 28. Upon release of the member 28 after the insertion of such a sheet, the springs I8 restore the clamp bar to the position shown in Fig. 9 for clamping such inserted sheet in position. It will be seen that either longitudinal edge of the bar may be withdrawn without releasing the other edge from clamping relation with the corresponding sheet. Hence after a master has been inserted in position as shown in Fig. 9, a block-out sheet may be placed in position wherein it overlies one or more portions of the master sheet, which block-out sheet may later be removed without necessitating the removal or readjustment of the master.

Associated with the drum [2 and arranged to be driven by contact with the cylindrical surface Hi thereof is a pressure or platen roller 36. The platen roller, which usually is a rubber or rubbercoated roller, is mounted at its ends in bearings 3'! for free rotation therein. The bearings 31 are carried in rockable support 38 which at its central portion, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 9, is provided with an upright member 39 extending through which is a shaft 60. By this arrangement the roller supporting member 38 is pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis as viewed in Fig. 3. The shaft 40 extends through a bar 4| journalled on pins 42 carried by the end frame members l0 and H. The bar 4!- thus is rockable on a horizontal axis defined by the pins 42. -To the other end of the rod 40, as viewed in Fig. 9, is secured a member 43 having a cylindrical horizontal opening 44 therethrough. Extending through the opening is an adjusting shaft 45 the inner end of which is journalled in a support 16 while the outer end is journalled inthe wall Iii of the casing. The shaft 45 is provided with an eccentric portion within member 43 whereby rotation of the shaft 35 will rock the rod Mi about the axis defined by pins 42 thereby moving the platen 36- towardor away from the drum. The extent of movement ofthe roller is not.great and the purpose thereof is to vary: the degree of pressure ofthe platen against the cylindrical surface of the drum.

The outer end of the shaft 45 is provided with an operating knob 41 which as viewed: in. Fig. 1 may carry indicia for theguidance of the operator in selecting the degree of pressure to; be exerted by the platen against the drum for controlling the intensity of the copies. The knob ll for example, may be provided with the letters L, M and H as shown in Fig. 1 indicating light, medium and heavy pressure of the platen against the drum. Since the platen is supported wholly by pivotal means. at its center, it tends to exert uniform, pressure throughout its length with the cylindrical portion of the drum. Thus a copy sheet or master, for example, that varies in thickness is compensated for by the structure defined. In the event of the wearing or slight misalignment of parts which tend to throw the axis of the drum out of parallelism with the axis of the platen, the latter automatically adjusts itself to provide uniform pressure-against'the surface of the drum.

The platen 36 as will be seen, is driven clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 9, by the rotation of the drum in a counter-clockwise direction and is adapted to cooperate with the drum for engaging the end of a sheet movedinto the bight between the platen and drum to carry the copy sheet forwardly between the drum and platen andto press such copy sheet into reproducing contact with a master on-the drum.

Since, the machine shown in the. drawings is of the liquid type means are provided for moistening the surfaces of the copy sheets as they are moved into reproducing relation with a master on the drum. The moistening means disclosed in the drawings comprises a liquid tank 38 which may be of sheet metal and-is arranged transversely of the machine. Liquid, generally a mixture of alcohol and water, is supplied to the tank 58 from a receptacle l9 shown in Fig. 2 which may be a bottle or the like. The receptacle is mounted upon an adaptor Ell preferably having a stop cock 5! which in turn is carried by a threaded end portion 52 of a conduit 53 which may be secured to the end wall l l of the casing. When the stop cock 5| is open, liquid flows through the conduit to a tube 54 into the tank 48 and when the liquid has risen to a level to close the tank inlet, ilow from the receptacle it stops. The arrangement, as is well known, will maintain the liquid in the tank at a constant level. However, should air leak into the receptacle is or for any other reason excess liquid should fiow into tank 46 tending to raise the level above that desired, surplus liquid will flow through a tank outlet 55 and through duct 55 into an over-flow tank 51 shown in Fig. 3.

A wallower roll 58 is mounted so that a portion thereof is below the level of the liquid in the tank as viewed in Fig. 9, the roller being shown as rotatively mounted in bearings 59 and 69 which are carried in inwardly directing bosses 6i and E2 formed integrally with the end walls H! and l l of the casing.

A moistening roll 63 is disposed generally be tween the platen 36 and the roll 58, and when in the position shown in Fig. 9, it translates rotary motion from the platen to the roll 58 whereby as platen 36 is driven clockwise by the drum as viewed in said figure, moistening roll 63 will be rotated counter clockwise and will in turn rotate roll 58 in a clockwise direction thereby wetting the surface of the roll 58 and transferring moisture to the surface of the moistening roll 63. Roll 63 applies moisture to the upper surface of copy sheets, as will be hereinafter described, as the same are fed into the machine.

The roll 63 at its ends is journalled in a roller supporting member comprising a pair of parallel arms 5 which arms are rigidly connected together for operation in unison by means of a transverse connecting member or bar 65. Bar 55 and arms 64 may be integrally formed. The left hand ends of the arms 54 as shown in Fig. 2 are pivotally mounted on studs 65 and 81 to inwardly directed posts or bosses 88 and as provided on the side walls Ill and H respectively of the casing. It will be seen that the arms 64, being connected by the transverse member 65, will swing in unison about the pivotal axis defined by studs 66 and El and thus swing the moistening roll 63 therewith. The arm 64 on the right hand side of the machine as shown in Fig. 2 is provided with an operating lever 1% which may be welded or otherwise fixed to the arm whereby swinging of the lever ill will rock the two arms ea about the pivotal axis thereof.

A spring H is shown in Fig. 9 for biasing the arm is for movement in a clockwise direction thereby tending to swing the roll 63 into contact with platen 36 and to establish also, contact with the roll 53. The clockwise swinging movement of the lever it can be arrested in a position to avoid excessive pressure of the roll 63 against v platen 36 by the provision of a suitable stop, such as thc'adjustable cam shaped or eccentric stop 6 N shown in Fig. 9. The stop is secured in any adjusted position by a screw 10 extending into the side wall [I] as shown in Fig. 2. The upper end of the lever ID, as shown in Fig. 9, is provided with a shoulder or catch 72 which is adapted for cooperation with a latch member 13 pivotally mounted as at 14 to side wall If). The latch 13 carries a spring 55 at its lower end which is also attached to a stud it whereby the latch 13 as viewed in Fig. 9 is biased in a counter-clockwise 7 direction. The latch i3 is provided with a latching shoulder l! for cooperation with the catch 12 whereby when the lever 18 is swung in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9, the catch l2 will engage the latch element l1 and retain the lever '15 in the retracted position until released. Such counter-clockwise.swinging movement of lever 'l'il swings-the roll 63 out of contact with platen 36.

The upper end of the lever 18 has a laterally offset portion Ill which is adapted to be engaged by a latch actuating member l8 which is adjustably secured to the right hand margin of the drum as viewed in 2. The member E3 constitutes means for retracting lever it into a position for temporary retention by the latch 73. The member 18 as shown in Fig. 9 extends radially outwardly beyond the surface of the drum a distance less than the space between said surface and the projecting finger member l3" of the latch. Hence the operating member Ill will move past the finger i3 without releasing the latch, but the member '53 extends laterally from the right hand end of the drum a distance suflicient to engage the laterally offset portion ill of the lever '50 for contact therewith for swinging the lever-iii to the left or counter-clockwise and thus moving the catch l2 into a position for engagement by the latch portion H.

The member 18 is adapted to be adjusted to various positions along the edge of the drum and in the form shown comprises a spring pressed pin 18* adapted to seat in any one of several positioning recesses 79 provided in the outer surface of the right hand edge of the drum as viewed in Fig. 2. As shown in said last mentioned figure these recesses carry indicia or numbers which conveniently may correspond in inches to lengths of copy sheets. Thus if copy sheets eight inches in length are to be .run through the machine, the member l8 may be adjusted for engagement of the recess if; indicated by the numeral 8 in Fig. 2. The purpose for this arrangement is to insure the application of moisture to the copy sheets as the same pass into the machine without applying moisture to the surface of the platen 35 as will be explained further. Hence the member 18 normally is seated in a position along the edge of the drum according to the length of the copy sheet or corresponding to the lower portion of the writing on the original or master that is to be duplicated notwithstanding that the copy sheets may be somewhat longer. Thus where the material being duplicated extends only six inches down a copy sheet for example, the member 18 can be set so that the liquid will be applied to the copy sheets over the portions of the surface thereof only that are to receive the matter from the master.

Also attached to the periphery of the drum is a second actuating member 85 which is relatively fixedto the drum since there is little need for adjusting it once it is fixed in proper position. The member 80 as shown in Fig. 9 is thicker radially than the member 18 but extends laterally from however, moistening roll 36.

7 the edgeof the drum a distance less than member 18. Hence as member 80 rotates counterclockwisefrom the position of Fig.9, it will strike the finger '13 of latch '10 and swing the latch in a clockwise direction. If the lever 10 is in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 9, the clockwise swinging of the latch 13 effected by the engagement of actuating .member 80 with the finger 13, will -,release the lever 10 for movement by its spring H in a clockwise direction thereby moving I the .moistening roll 63 into contact with wallower roll .58 and likewise into contact with platen 36. The-member 80 extending laterally a less distance from the edge of the drum than the member 18 will not engage the ofiset'portion 10 of the lever .10, the latter member being actuated only by member 18 as described above. Hence it will be seen that the member 18 swings the lever 10 into latching position wherein the moistening roll 63 is moved to elevated position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9 or out of contact with the platen 36, while the actuating member 80 releases the lever 10 from latched position for effecting restoration of the roll 63 into contact with the platen.

Where the machine illustrated is not to be used for a period of time, the handle I4 preferably is stopped in a position wherein the actuator member 18 will have moved the lever 10 into latching position, thus moving the moistening roll 63 out :2

of contact with the platen 36. When the machine .is next used, the handleis rotated counter-clockwise but such movement does not add moisture to the platen due to the fact that the roll 63 is not in driven relation with the platen. However, f

when actuator 86 moves into engaging position 'with finger '13 of the latch 13, the lever 10 will be released=and the roll 63 will move into contact with the platen. In the event of further move- .ment of the handle, the platen will drive roll 63 and the latter will drive the wallower roll 58 whereby liquid will be transferred from roll 58 toithe surface of roll 63 and, if such action is continued sufficiently, liquid willlikewise be applied to the surface of the-platen. Application of liquid l :to the platen is to be avoided since liquid on the platen merely moistens the under side of the copy sheet which is of no advantage in making copies and constitutes a waste of the liquid. Hence the actuator 89 is positioned peripherally a distance from the forward or advancing edge of the reentrant portion 16 that corresponds to the degree of rotation of rolls 58 and '63 that is required in moving liquid from the surface-of the liquid in the tank '48 substantially up to the line I of contact between the roll 63 and platen 36.

When the forward edge of the reentrant portion [6, moving counter-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 9, reaches the platen 36, the latter is no longer driven and due to the distance from the actuator '80 to said forward edge of the depressed or reentrant portion I6, the lower half of the roll 63 "will be'moistened. In other words the liquid'on "te roll will extend up closely into the bightbetween roll 63 and platen 36 preferably without, Hence the section l5 'of the roll periphery initially drives the platen and rolls-58 and 63 to effect premoistening of roll 63 whereby the first copy sheet of a batch'of sheets to-be'run throughithe machine will be moistened from adjacentthe upper-end to the lower end or to a-lower portion-corresponding .to :the seating'of actuator 18. By thisarr-angement the initialcopy 0f;a. batch of cop sheets .willbe clear and useful notwithstanding that the masheet through the machine.

8 chine may have been idle for asubstantial period.

;As illustratedin Fig. 9 a feed table 8| is shown for holding a supply .of copy sheets 82. The feed table 8| is shown assupported at its lower end upon a transverse brace 83 (see .Fig. 2) at the front of the frame members l6 and H .andis secured to the latter as part of the frame work for rendering the frame rigid. The forward portion of the table 8| is supported by screws 84 that extend inwardly from the respective frame members I0 and H. The brace 83 is provided with a pair of adjusting screws 85 shown in Fig. ,2 whereby the table can be tilted slightly about the supporting pins 84 as a pivotal axis for aligning the upper edge 8 i of the table properly with respect to the bight of the roll 63 and platen 36 for insuring proper entrance of a copy sheet ,into a position of engagement betweenthe contacting moistener roll and platen. The feed table is shown provided with laterally adjustable side guides 86 whereby the table is adapted to ac-. commodate sheets varying in width and is provided also with a lower adjustable stop 81 for accommodating copy sheets 82 of different lengths. The guides 86 are frictionally retained in adjustable position by means of spring tensioning means '38 as shown in Fig. 11.

With a stack of copy sheets 82 upon the table SI as shown in Figs. 1 and 9, for example, the top slret may be slid forwardly until the upper edge in the bight of platen 36 and roller 63, it being assumed that the roller 63 was premoistened as above described. The roll Gil-applies liquid to the copy sheet and cooperates with the platen in engagingthe copysheet, as shown in Fig. 9, for advancing it into position for engagement between the platen 36 and cylindrical surface of the drum. The copy sheetis thus-advanced by engagement between the platen and the drum which cooperate also to press the moistened copy sheet as it moves through the machine into copying contact with the master 23 carried by the drum. The sheet is discharged as it passes between the drum and platen into a receiving tray indicated by the numeral 99. The tray is shown as supported at its upper end by a pair of studs 9| and at its lower end by studsv 92, the latter studs being positioned in any one of a series of openings 93 provided in adjacent portions of the side walls [0 and l i whereby the angle of the tray may be adjusted should such be desired.

As described above upon the moistening of the copy sheet by the roll 63 or upon the moistening of some predetermined portion thereof as determined by the setting of the actuator 18, the latter will, during the rotation of the-drum, engage the lever-F6 and move it into retracted position shown in dotted'lines in Fig. 9, thus moving the roll'63 out of contact with the platen and thus avoiding the application of moisture to the platen during the intervals following the advancement of a copy A second sheet is then advanced into feeding position while the reentrant portion 16 is above the roll 63, the handle is further operated to bring the actuator 86 into contact with the releasing finger 13 of the latch whereupon the roll 63 is returned to driven contact with the platen and such second sheet is fed forwardly and-concurrently moistened by the roll 63 as described above. It will be understood that an experienced operator can feed the copy sheets in synchronism with the rotary movement of the drum and hence a relatively large number of copy sheets can be run through the machine While-the latter is being operated and an automatic feed may be employed for feeding the copy sheets 82 into the machine While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention various details of structure may be varied without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention exemplified by the following claims.

I claim: 1. A duplicating machine comprising a rotary drum, means for attaching a master sheet to said drum, a platen roller arranged for driven contact withs'aid drum and for cooperating therewith ing relation and for applying liquid to the copy sheet during said cooperation of said roll and platen, means supporting said roll for movement out of said cooperating relation with the platen, and means comprising a manually adjustable member on the drum adapted to be adjusted to different angular positions thereon for effecting the movement of said moistem'ng roll out of said cooperative relation with the platen upon application of liquid to a predetermined portion of a copy sheet as the sheet is being advanced in copying relation by the coaction of said drum and platen.

2. A duplicating machine comprising a rotary drum, means for attaching a master sheet to the drum for rotation therewith, a rotatable platen arranged in driven contact with said drum and cooperating therewith for engaging a copy sheet and pressing the same into and advancing the same through copying relation with respect to the master, a moistening roll, an operable support for said roll, biasing means for operation of said support in a direction for effecting driven contact of said roll with said platen whereby said platen and roll cooperate to feed initially a copy sheet into a position for engagement between said platen and drum, means for supplying liquid to said roll for application thereby to the copy sheet as the same passes between said roll and platen, a member carried by said drum at a position thereon for engaging and moving said support in the opposite direction to a position wherein said roll is out of contact with said platen for interrupting the application of liquid to sheets passing between said roll and platen, latching means for retaining said support in said last mentioned position, and a second member on the drum circumferentially spaced from said first member for releasing said latching means to enable said biasing means to effect return of said support in said first mentioned direction.

3. A duplicating machine comprising a rotary drum, means for attaching a master sheet to the drum for rotation therewith, a rotatable platen arranged in driven contact with said drum and cooperating therewith for engaging a copy sheet and pressingthe same into and advancing the same through copying relation with respect to the master, a moistening roll, an operable support for said roll, biasing means for operating said support in a direction for effecting driven contact of said roll with said platen whereby said platen and roll cooperate to feed initially a copy sheet into a position for engagement between said platen and drum, means for supplying liquid to said roll for application thereby to the copy sheet as the same passes between said roll and platen,

means located on the drum at a position for engaging and moving said support in the opposite direction to, a position wherein said roller is out .of driven contact with said platen for interrupting the application of liquid to a sheet passing between said roll and platen, means for releasably latching said support in said position, and means actuated by said drum for automatically releasing said latching means'for actuation of said support by said biasing means for moving the moistening roll into contact with the platen.

4:. In a duplicating machine comprising a rotary drum, means carried by said drum for attaching thereto a master copy, a rotatable platen positioned in driven contact with the drum and adapted to cooperate therewith in engaging a copy sheet and pressing the same into copying relation against said master and advancing the same between the drumand platen, a moistening roll, a movable support for said roll, means for moving said support in a direction to position said roll in driven contact with said platen for initially feeding a copy sheet into a position for engagement by said platen and drum, means for supplying liquid to said roll for application thereby to the copy sheet as the same passes between said roll and platen, biasing means acting on said support ina direction to move said roll into said driven contact with said platen, a catch on said support, an operable latch member, a member on said drum adapted to engage said support for moving said roll out of contact with said platen and to effect engagement of said catch with said latch for restraining movement of said support by said biasing means, and a second member on said drum for operating said latch to catch-releasing position to enable said biasing means to effect actuation of said support in a direction to restore said roll in driven contact with said platen.

5. In a liquid type duplicating machine comprising a rotary drum, means for attaching a master copy to the drum, a rotary platen adapted to press successive copy sheets into copying relation with the master, means movable from an inoperative positon to an operative position for applying liquid to the surface of said copy sheets as the same move into said copying relation, an adjustabl member on said drum adapted to be adjusted circumferentially thereof to positions correlated to selected linear distances that liquid is to be applied to said copy sheetsby said applying means, supporting means for said applying means actuatable by said adjustable member during rotation of the drum for effecting movement of said applying means from said operative to said inoperative position'for interrupting the application of liquid to a copy sheet following application of liquid through a said distance, means for latching said supporting means in said inoperative position, and a member on the drum for engaging and releasing said latching means.

6. In a liquid type duplicating machine com prising a rotary drum, means for attaching a master copy to the drum, a rotary platen'adapted to press successive copy sheets into copying relation with the master, means movable from an inoperative position to an operative position for applying liquid to the surface of said copy sheets as the same move into said copying relation, an adjustable member on said drum adapted to be adjusted to circumferentially thereof to positions correlated to selected linear distances that liquid '11 is to be applied to said copy sheets by said applying means, means engageable by said adjustable member during rotation of the drum for effecting movement of said applying means from said operative to said inoperative position, and means comprising a second member on said drum for effecting the restoration of 'said liquid applying means to said operative position.

I-IUBERT JAGGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number 12 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Storck Nov. 17, 1936 Bennello June 13, 1939 Kokay July '11, 1939 Morrison Nov. 5, I940 Ritzerfeld Nov. 5, 1940 Neal May 23, 1944 Bradt Dec. 12, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Number Italy Feb. '2, 1939 

